If you are 40 years or older you are protected against age discrimination in the workplace by the ADEA. Employment conditions, privileges that come along with employment, hiring and firing, promotion, benefits, compensation, training, job assignment, retirement and layoff are all addressed in the language of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Employment, and any working conditions or arrangements related to it, cannot be based solely on an employee's age or the action will, most likely, fall under the ADEA law. The ADEA covers those businesses that have 20 or more employees. If you are a protected employee under the ADEA it's important that you know what your rights are, and what steps to take if they are violated. Get a copy of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and familiarize yourself with it.